Barkers Lane, Sale

Project type: Residential

Requirements: Planning Permission & Building Regulations for Internal and External Refurbishments, and Single Storey Rear Extension.

RIBA Stages: 0 to 4

We provided architects services for this residential project in Sale, Manchester, for the refurbishment and extension of a 1960's Town House. The property is a 3 storey end 'terrace' in a short row of similar houses, in a distinctly Edwardian streetscape. The Ground Floor originally contained a garage (now converted and used as a Store Room), a WC, and Utility Room. The Living Room and Kitchen were open-plan on the First Floor, with Bedrooms and Bathroom on the Second Floor. The overall layout of the house wasn't working for the Client and his family. The entire Ground Floor was not fully utilised, and the garden was totally disconnected from the living spaces.

The Client appointed Ibelin Architecture to submit a Planning and Building Regulations application to reconfigure the layout on the Ground and First Floors. The Client wanted the Ground Floor to become the main living space with a large single storey extension spanning the entire length of the rear elevation and side garage. The extension roof would be mono-pitch that became a duo-pitched roof over the side garage, mirroring the roof pitch of the main building. All the internal walls were removed to make an open-plan space that could be used as a study, or formal dining area. A concealed internal folding / sliding door can be opened out to create smaller enclosed spaces when required. A large opening was created in the rear elevation to connect this space into the new extension, which leads to an open-plan Kitchen and Living Room. Folding / Sliding Doors provide the family easy access into the garden, and helps unite the inside and outside spaces. A new integrated WC and Utility Room were created under the staircase.

The First Floor was converted to accommodate two new bedrooms, and a Shower Room, transforming the house into a well proportioned four bedroom home. Further external changes included changing all the existing windows with modern double glazed units in dark grey, matching rainwater goods, and fascias. Both the Planning Permission and Full Plans Building Regulations Approval was secured on behalf of the client, through regular communication with Trafford Planning and Building Control. The architect also drafted Party Wall Notices to both of the neighbouring property owners, as prescribed in the Party Wall Act. Ibelin Architecture assisted the Client through the Party Wall process, so the neighbours would give consent for work to begin.

As with all extension and new-build projects, Ibelin advised the client to appoint a Structural Engineer to provide structural calculations, and drawings as part of the Building Regulations application. An engineer was vital for this project because a supporting wall would be removed, and the floor above would be supported by steel beams, all to his specification. The architect worked in conjunction with the engineer to provide a set of fully integrated detailed drawings from which tenders could be obtained, and the project constructed.